Dear friend,

The violence in Iraq is escalating beyond our control. It's time to recognize that we need the world's help to reach the hearts and minds of Iraqis. We've got to transfer management authority over Iraq to the United Nations, to enable a real transition to peaceful Iraqi self-rule. Please join me in calling for this change, at:

http://www.moveon.org/unauthority/

60 Americans and reportedly hundreds of Iraqis have been killed in just the past week; 677 Americans have died in Iraq since the war began. A religious leader hostile to the United States now controls two cities, and has sparked uprisings in two others. Dozens of foreigners have been taken hostage.

The growing opposition to American rule among the Iraqi population "probably runs in the tens of thousands", consisting of people who "have jobs in vegetable shops, offices, garages, and schools," according to the New York Times. These people, who should comprise the civil society we're hoping to build there, instead are arming themselves and awaiting the call to attack Americans.

Our troops in Iraq are stretched thin -- U.S. commanders are asking for more troops, and there's talk of a draft, perhaps to be announced just after our November elections.

Instead of simply redoubling our commitment, we should support our soldiers by taking the bull's-eye off their backs.

As Thomas Friedman put it, "If it is America alone against the Iraqi street, we lose. If it is the world against the Iraqi street, we have a chance."

Join me in calling for a transfer of authority over Iraq to the U.N., at:
http://www.moveon.org/unauthority/

Thanks.

aj